Minutes

Minutes of the Corporate Governance Committee of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 19 July 2004 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, Westminster, London SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Jennette Arnold (Chair)
• Toby Harris
• Rachel Whittaker.

MPA officers

• Peter Martin (Treasurer)
• Peter Tickner (Director, Internal Audit)
• Ruth Hastings Iqball (Committee Section)

MPS officers

• Sharon Burd (Director of Finance Services)
•  Tony Baden (Corporate Accountancy Manager)

Part 1

1. Apologies For Absence

(Agenda item 1)

Apologies for absence were received from the external auditors.

2. Declarations of Interest

(Agenda item 2)

Toby Harris stated that he was an advisor to KPMG. No further declarations of interest were received.

3. Minutes Of The Audit Panel - 27 May 2004

(Agenda item 3)

The Committee considered the minutes of the last inquorate meeting of the Audit Panel held on 27 May 2004. Its recommendations were ratified.

Resolved - That the minutes of the Audit Panel held on 27 May be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

4. Minutes Of The Health And Safety Sub-Committee - 16 February 2004

(Agenda item 4)

The Committee agreed the minutes of the Health and Safety Sub Committee held on 16 February 2004. It was noted that the Sub Committee had resolved that its meetings be attended by an MPS HR representatives, a representative from the MPS Health and Safety Branch and trade union and staff associations, together with OCU commanders/manager and an external advisor when required. It was requested that these representatives be informed that the Health and Safety Sub Committee had been subsumed into the Corporate Governance Committee.

Resolved - That

1. the minutes of the meeting held on 16 February 2004 be confirmed and signed as a correct record; and
2. MPS HR representatives, a representative from the MPS Health and Safety Branch and trade union and staff associations be informed that the Health and Safety Sub Committee had been subsumed into the Corporate Governance Committee.

5. Chair’s And Members’ Update (Oral Report)

(Agenda item 5)

No updates were received.

6. Draft MPA Accounts For The Year Ended 31 March 2004

(Agenda item 6)

A report was received presenting the draft set of accounts for 2003-04. It identified key features of the accounts and explained the structure of the statements. The Treasurer explained that the accounts, following approval by this committee, would be submitted to the full Authority. He explained that the format was constrained by financial regulations.

The Treasurer proceeded to go through the accounts, section by section, with members. It was agreed that references to BOCUs should be changed to OCUs where appropriate. Members were informed of the new accounting requirements for FRS17 information in relation to police pensions. FRS17 did not apply to the Authority’s accounts in respect of police staff as their pensions were part of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme which, for these purposes, is the responsibility of central government. It was agreed the word ‘proper’ on page 10 of the draft statement of accounts should be amended, as it was open to misinterpretation. Questions were asked about the table on page 11, and it was agreed further consideration would be given to how this information could be better presented. Subject to these and other requested amendments the accounts were agreed.

Members raised the issue of risk management and were informed that a report, supported by a presentation, would be provided at the next meeting of the committee.

Resolved – That the draft statement of accounts 2003-04 be agreed subject to amendments suggested by members.

7. Term Of External Auditor Appointment

(Agenda item 7)

Members received a report on correspondence with the Audit Commission clarifying the longer-term external audit arrangements.

Resolved - That it be noted that the Audit Commission is likely to continue as the MPA’s external audit supplier until 2010.

8. Appointment Of Co-Opted Member

(Agenda item 8)

A report was received proposing the appointment of a co-opted member, Richard Stephenson, Group Director of the Health and Safety Executive for Transport for London, to the Corporate Governance Committee for 2004/05. This was agreed, subject to him being asked to withdraw from the discussion of exempt items.

Resolved – that

1. the nomination of Richard Stephenson as a co-opted member of the Corporate Governance Committee be approved, subject to his agreement to withdraw from discussion of exempt items; and
2. the Authority be asked to ratify the recommendation of the Corporate Governance Committee to appoint Richard Stephenson as a co-opted member of that Committee.

9. Recommendation For The Nomination Of A Deputy Chair

(Agenda item 9)

It was agreed that Rachel Whittaker be appointed Deputy Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee.

Resolved – That Rachel Whittaker be appointed Deputy Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee.

The meeting ended at 3.20 p.m.

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